Gov. Sonny Perdue made his second visit in as many weeks to the fire line Tuesday afternoon, declaring Ware and Brantley counties federal disaster areas.

His declaration means that federal money can be used to pay for some of the expense of fighting the fires.

"We haven't seen anything like this since the 50s, and the potential is still there," Perdue said after meeting with forestry and emergency management officials. "It's not over yet, and I can tell you that all the resources that are brought to bare right now will be here until it is over."

Weather remained in control of a massive wildfire that has burned over 135 square miles of southeast Georgia over the past two weeks, but a wind shift on Tuesday brought good news to residents of Folkston.

After the fire had spread within 15 miles of Folkston, firefighters said winds from the south and east began pushing the fire back into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, and area that is already charred.

Georgia Forestry officials said that while more than 830 firefighters from throughout Georgia and other states had the fire about 64 percent contained Tuesday evening, the fire will not be extinguished until the area gets significant rainfall -- something that's not in the forecast for days, even weeks.

Channel 4's Dan Leveton reported on Tuesday evening that there were no current evacuations in Ware, Charlton or Brantley counties.

Effort To Save Property Shifts West

The news was not as good in Atkinson County, west of Waycross, where all state routes and schools were closed as a 4,200-acre wildfire was burning out of control.

About eight homes were evacuated. Because it was burning in a peat bog more than a dozen feet deep, it was extremely hot and difficult to fight. Its cause was under investigation, but arson was not suspected.

Despite the ongoing challenges of extreme drought conditions, no rain in the forecast and shifting winds, firefighters were making good progress and strengthening the lines around the larger blaze.

"Things looked good with the big fire yesterday," said Georgia Forestry Commission spokesman Byron Haire.

He said that most of the new acres burned were inside the Okefenokee Swamp, an ecological environment that actually benefits from fires.

U.S. Highway 1 between Folkston and Waycross remained closed Tuesday, but schools in both Charlton and Ware counties were open on Tuesday.

U.S. 82 was between the Mill community in Ware County and Pearson in Atkinson County was also closed Tuesday, with traffic being detoured westbound down Manor Millwood Road to Carswell Avenue.

Southside Christian School in Waycross will be closed on Wednesday due to smoke.

Arson Suspected In New Fires

On Monday, the Georgia Forestry Commission decided at least three of the smaller spot fires burning in Ware and Charlton counties were suspicious enough to warrant further investigation, said Eric Mosley, a forestry spokesman.

Officials are certain arson did not cause the main fire, Mosley said. That fire started when a tree fell across live power lines April 16. Officials say it has destroyed 22 homes.

But Mosley said the Forestry Commission suspects at least three fires may have been set by arsonists. One of them ignited last week behind the firefighters' command post on U.S. 1 near the Okefenokee Swamp Park.

The governor also raised concerns about possible arson, saying anyone who is guilty of setting one would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

"Arsonists, you better beware -- you will get burned. I'm just telling you, we won't tolerate people in Georgia setting fire that will harm property and people," Purdue said.

Anyone with information about suspicious fires are asked to call the Arson Tip Hotline at 800-282-5804.